New TV

[Blitz]

Looking at getting this plasma TV. It is rated very high. Do I need plasma or is LCD fine? Should I get the 4 year warranty for $330?

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8740491&type=product&id=1202648738039

 

[gardenweasel]

very nice....and compatible with the great panasonic dvd recorders(if you choose to do that)....

4 hdmi inputs...shop around for hdmi cables...they can get expensive and you can probably get cheaper than best buys...if you don`t want to go the internet route,you can get them at walmart...

panasonic is a dependable brand....

sounds like a winner...

 

[Kanuck]

Great choice, can't go wrong with Pany Plasma.

What's good about that TV is the 480hz processing. It will make for a better pic when it comes to live sports.

Most TVs have only 120hz.

 

[Blitz]

Thanks guys! What do you think about the extended warranty? I usually don't like to get them, but what about with a plasma TV?

Also, this would be my first HD, should I pay to have them come to the house and calibrate it?

 

[pel7]

I am in the shopping process myself for a hd tv,I keep reading that the prices are going to drop drastically on black friday,the day after thanksgiving or a couple of weeks before christmas.I understand that there is a dvd you can buy that will help you calibrate the tv yourself.And I am wondering the same thing about the warranty,is it worth it,maybe if they give you a loaner tv while yours is being worked on.I am most likely going to buy a samsung lcd 52 inch 650 series,I have too much light in my living room for a plasma.

 

[IX_Bender]

I prefer LCD to plasma, as they have a longer projected lifespan. If you decide to go plasma, then I would opt for the warranty (but check and see what panasonic factory would be first)

Being the last one to bump that HDTV thread, and probably the last to make a purchase, I went with

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9023193&st=xbr&lp=2&type=product&cp=1&id=1218009475194


After moving into a new house, it was a replacement for the main living room tv, which was a Sony plasma with no problems over the last five years.

 

[c20916]

I have this TV and love it. I wouldn't pay for the warranty you should be ok. My wife gets a discount thru her work so we had to order it online, and never had anyone come out and calibrate.

I can't remember where I read it, but somewhere online it gave out different ways to make some adustments to the picture. I am sure if you search online for the model number and settings you'll come across some fourm that has it, maybe it was the AVS fourm, not sure.

 

[IX_Bender]

Oh, and pel7 is right. If you can wait and hold out until post turkey day, then Id expect at least $100++ off the exact set youre looking at.

All the prices will drop significantly because they cant move these high ticket items with the economy right now.

 

[Morris]

I bought a Sony LCD and think it's great. I went with the extended warranty. Usually don't but in this case I did. Pros and cons on both. Guess it boils down to which one you like the best. GL

 

[Old School]

Looking at getting this plasma TV. It is rated very high. Do I need plasma or is LCD fine? Should I get the 4 year warranty for $330?

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8740491&type=product&id=1202648738039

Blitz be sure to check out Sams Club before you purchase..

any member can buy for you and all return and warranty rights belong to you...in fact you can pay w/cc and or cash.


example below..

3 year additional

http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=5&item=396568

I like my LCD'S BUT THEY ALL LOOK GREAT..

Black Friday is surely worth lookin' into...There will be early AD's on line so you can plan ahead..

Sam's Club here locally has replaced 2 LCD'S for me right on the spot when I wasn't 100% satisfied..NO QUESTIONS ASKED..

be prepared to wish you bought a 60" after buying a 50"...

enjoy...Directv and HiDef...the only way to go for NFL.

 

[gardenweasel]

i have the 52" sony lcd and i`d be lying if i told you i didn`t have a bear of a time connecting the t.v./dvd/sound system......2 days on and off....lol

but as far as calibrating the picture,i had no problem...the picture sucked when i got it,but there are numerous settings and adjustments you can make...

i enjoyed that(maybe i don`t understand "calibration").....i do know that my picture is perfect,imo,and i wouldn`t want anyone else deciding what type of picture i prefer......

it`s 1080p,but,it`s not the highest level sony...still,it`s amazing...

you`re gonna love it...

 

[BADTODABONE]

TV prices could plummet...

http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/null/108089

LCD v Plasma...

http://www.lcd-vs-plasma.com/

 

[hedgehog]

I bought a 46 inch Samsung LCD 1080P last year and love it...I never buy warranties as all they are is extra profit for the store, imo...Circuit City was also running a credit special no interest for 2 years, so I took advantage of that offer.

 

[Kanuck]

Blitz

A study was done on reliability on Flat screen TV's and LCD and plasma scored an amazing failure rate of less than 3% compared with 14% of RPTV's. So for every 100 flat screen TV's less than 3 will fail.

Now the manufacturer warranty is normally 12 months to 18 months, so all you would be paying for is an extended 18 months. Now if you pay with your credit card, some cards automatically extend the warranty up to four years when you use their card (check with the credit company).

 

[Slink Dawg]

I bought a Magnavox 52" LCD 1080ip in July and love it. Got it at Wally Mart .com for around 1500. Free shipping and no interest till Feburary.

 

[Blitz]

I am in the shopping process myself for a hd tv,I keep reading that the prices are going to drop drastically on black friday,the day after thanksgiving or a couple of weeks before christmas.I understand that there is a dvd you can buy that will help you calibrate the tv yourself.And I am wondering the same thing about the warranty,is it worth it,maybe if they give you a loaner tv while yours is being worked on.I am most likely going to buy a samsung lcd 52 inch 650 series,I have too much light in my living room for a plasma.

pel7, I just saw a Black Friday ad from Sears that has this TV for $2,099. I still haven't bought a new TV and I'm looking at getting this one myself...

 

[gardenweasel]

pel7, I just saw a Black Friday ad from Sears that has this TV for $2,099. I still haven't bought a new TV and I'm looking at getting this one myself...

i could be wrong,but i`d be looking at the long haul with this type of investment...

and that would mean a big name brand ala sony/panasonic/mitsubishi or pioneer...

again,i could be wrong:shrug:

 

[Blitz]

i could be wrong,but i`d be looking at the long haul with this type of investment...

and that would mean a big name brand ala sony/panasonic/mitsubishi or pioneer...

again,i could be wrong:shrug:

Samsung's are top rated by cnet.com and consumer reports... :shrug:

 

[justin22g]

I bought a vizio from walmart about 8 months ago and haven't had a problem with it.

I absolutely love it!

I have my laptop hooked up to it as well, and have a wireless keyboard and mouse.

just make sure u read some reviews before you buy

 

[3 Seconds]

Samsung's are top rated by cnet.com and consumer reports... :shrug:

Samsung is at the top rung of Plasma TV's. I would say only Pioneer's are better.

I have had a Sumsung 5084 for about a year now & it is AWESOME.

Zero problems. The only thing you have to do is make sure you have the latest firmware when you first start it up. Most likely you will (85%), if not it is easy to get it updated.

Unless you plan to game heavily on your TV, more than 2.5 hrs at a time, I prefer plasma over LCD actually. This really is a matter of choice, but I think watching sports is a better experience on plasma.

I would highly recommend this TV. A++

PS. Unless you are a AV freak you dont need to get your set calibrated. Tons of settings can be grabbed off of AV sites or even WIKI to use as a baseline & then just make small tweaks as all TVs will be slightly different, as will personal preference.

Also w/ plasma you will have a "BREAK IN" period.(first 200 hrs of use) This is very important, you can not use 'torch' settings. You want the Plasmas TV to burn evenly in the critical first uses. Make sure you research it online..again easy to find & read up on. Google "Zippy's break in settings" if you get a Samsung.

If you go LCD you dont have to worry about this which is a + for LCD.

Good Luck w/ your choice if you have any questions specifically on Samsungs feel free to ask...